Carlos Zambrano(notes) is set to return to his Venezeulan team this weekend after being hit in the face by a line drive on November 18th. Zambrano required ten stiches to repair a cut on his face. However, most of us Chicago Cubs fan have little-to-no-interest in what’s going on in baseball in Venezuela. What we’re really concerned about is whether or not Zambrano will be pitching in the Windy City in 2012. Honestly, I don’t know whether or not I want him back.

All of Zambrano’s tantrums over the years have been well documented. The said tantrums culminated with his outburst late last season when he cleaned out his locker and announced his retirement following a poor performance. It was just the last straw in a laundry list of outbursts that are more liken to a 10-year old losing a game to his brother than a professional athlete. The speculation has been growing as to whether or not Zambrano would be back with the Cubs, or if he’d even be allowed back.

Shortly after Theo Epstein’s takeover as the president of baseball operations for the Cubs, he said that Zambrano would have to earn his way back on to the team. Though, he also said that it was possible.

Generally speaking, I’m fed up with Zambrano’s antics. I’ve heard for too long his enormous “upside” when he’s on and level-headed. Yes, he has the ability to be a great pitcher. We’ve seen it happen. That being said, teams shouldn’t put up with those outbursts from anyone, much less from someone that isn’t producing. Having a “potential upside” isn’t the same as having an upside.

If it were just about any other year, I’d give Big Z the ‘ol heave-ho and be on my merry way. However, the Cubs are in fairly dire need of starting pitching. The Cubs rotation will be question mark-ridden with Zambrano, nevermind without. All that being said, I think I’d attempt to trade Zambrano while he still has some trade value. Given he only has one year left on his contract with the Cubs, I doubt he’ll be back anyway. The Cubs might as well get something for him.

Brian is lifelong Chicago Cubs fan, having lived in Illinois his entire life and having followed Major League Baseball throughout.

Sources

Zambrano Set To Pitch Saturday

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Will Carlos Zambrano be part of the rebuilding plan for the Chicago Cubs? That may be one of the first key decisions for Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer.

Zambrano and Epstein have reportedly met face-to-face on November 14, 2011. Epstein was apparently convinced that Zambrano should be given another opportunity to earn his way back onto the 25-man roster and starting rotation for spring training. Epstein referred to this as a “Trust-but-verify” situation as he recognizes that Zambrano has failed to control his temper in the past.

I can understand the “Wait-and-see” approach from Epstein’s point-of-view. The Cubs would probably have to pay the majority of his $18-milllion salary even if they did trade him. I can respect Epstein wanting to get a first-hand view of the current talent on the roster for the 2012 MLB season.

Zambrano had the worst year of his 10-year career in 2011. While he was 9-7, Zambrano finished with a 4.82 ERA and 1.44 WHIP. His season was abruptly ended after he was placed on the disqualified list and informed that he shouldn’t return after his faux-retirement fiasco. Shortly thereafter, Tom Ricketts had stated that he didn’t believe that Zambrano would return in 2012.

Now if Zambrano wants to remain beyond 2012? He must improve his attitude and performance. One of the biggest reasons that I wanted Zambrano gone by 2012 is because I wanted a cultural change. I’m afraid that Zambrano’s temper will be a negative in that agenda. However, I also want to be patient with Epstein. He probably hasn’t seen much of Zambrano since Epstein’s from the American League. He might not want to make any hasty decisions on player transactions until he becomes more knowledgeable of the current players.

Zambrano should be motivated to be on his best behavior in 2012. He reportedly has a vesting players option for $19.4 million in 2013 if he finishes in the top four of the Cy Young award voting. Since he’ll be 31 after next season, Zambrano could also be playing for the last big payday of his career.

Joshua Huffman grew up in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula as a Green Bay Packers and Chicago Cubs enthusiast. He immediately gained an admiration for Cubs fans after watching numerous games on WGN during the mid 1990s. His favorite Cubs moment was Kerry Wood’s(notes) 1-hitter, 20K extravaganza that was only denied of a no-hitter by Kevin Orie’s defensive blunder. As a Packers and Cubs fan, he suffered through Steve Bartman and “4th & 26″ in a span of three months.

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Read More: Carlos Zambrano (P – CHC), Kansas City Royals, Florida Marlins, Chicago Cubs

Nick Collias of MLB Trade Rumors is reporting Chicago Cubs right hander Carlos Zambrano spoke with the Venezuelan media about meeting with new Cubs exec Theo Epstein:

[The meeting with Epstein will] be quick – to meet each other. Talk in person. That’s very important. I’d like to build a relationship from scratch with the new GM. Erase everything and start over.

Carlos Zambrano, who has had previous non-performance-related issues with the Cubs (including a smashed Gatorade machine and a brief in-season retirement), struggled on the field last year too, posting a career high ERA (4.82) and FIP (4.59):

Carlos Zambrano Stats

Epstein, the new Cubs President of Baseball Operations, has previously suggested the Cubs may explore keeping Zambrano at least one more year as the team looks to rebuild, so Zambrano’s comments may suggest mutual interest in the possibility.

If the reunion does not go through, however, the Kansas City Royals and Miami Marlins have already expressed interest in trading for Zambrano — at a considerable discount.

For more breaking news on the Chicago Cubs 2012 Hot Stove, stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago.

Since Manager Ozzie Guillen has joined the Florida Marlins last week, there have been rumors that he would try and get his new team to make a trade with the Chicago Cubs for fellow Venezuelan and old pal Carlos Zambrano(notes).

MLBlogs.com now reports that Venezuela’s El Nacional has it that “Guillen has reached out to Zambrano and wants to bring him to Miami.”

The Cubs certainly would like to jettison Zambrano, who hasn’t played for the team since Aug. 12 after he left a game against the Atlanta Braves early and informed fellow team members that he was “retiring.”

The site notes that Zambrano is owed $18 million for next season and the Marlins “would pay that money in deferred payments.”

The 30-year-old three-time All-Star has been with the Chicago Cubs for his entire big-league career, going 125-81 with a 3.60 ERA and 1,542 strikeouts since his debut on Aug. 20, 2001. This season, he went 9-7 with an ERA of 4.82.
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Source: MLBlogs.com

Related: Carlos Zambrano, Atlanta Braves, Chicago Cubs, Florida Marlins

CHICAGO (AP) — Chicago Cubs’ right-hander Carlos Zambrano will sit out the rest of the season after his 30-day suspension ends after games of Sept. 11.

The Cubs said Friday they’ll pay Zambrano after the suspension ends but there’s insufficient time for him to get ready to pitch again. The Cubs also said a grievance filed on Zambrano’s behalf will be processed by the players’ union, Major League Baseball and the team during the offseason.

Zambrano cleaned out his locker and talked about retiring after giving up five homers and being ejected during a loss to Atlanta on Aug. 12. His ejection followed two inside pitches to Chipper Jones.

He said he intended to be at the ballpark the next day, but his agent Barry Praver told him not to “because we were in the middle of discussions with the union and the Cubs.” The Cubs placed Zambrano on the disqualified list the next day and said he would receive no pay and have no part in team activities for 30 days.

“It was a disappointing situation and we’ll let things take their course now,” manager Mike Quade said Friday before a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Wrigley Field.

“That’s it, let’s see where the grievance situation goes. They’ve made decisions and that’s where we’re at now.”

Zambrano was also put on a restricted list last season after he became incensed by what he thought was poor defense against the White Sox and got into a shouting match with then-teammate Derrek Lee. Zambrano underwent anger management counseling, returned to the team and pitched well.

Asked whether Zambrano can still be a winning pitcher in the major leagues, Quade said: “He was. Depending on how this plays out, he’s still got something to offer. The numbers bear that out.”

The Cubs expected more when Zambrano signed a $91.5 million deal over five seasons through 2012, including a $17.85 million salary this season and $18 million in 2012.

Zambrano is 125-81 with a 3.60 career ERA after breaking in with the Cubs in 2001. He has thrown a no-hitter against the Astros. He was 9-7 this season before the suspension, but his pitching has often been overshadowed by his outbursts.

In 2009, he went on tirade against an umpire, throwing a baseball into the outfield, pretending to eject the umpire and slamming his glove against the dugout fence, a tantrum that led to a suspension.

In 2007, he got into a fight with teammate and catcher Michael Barrett, first in the dugout and then in the locker room. Barrett ended up with a bruise under his eye and a cut lip.

CHICAGO (AP) — Chicago Cubs’ right-hander Carlos Zambrano will sit out the rest of the season after his 30-day suspension ends after games of Sept. 11.

The Cubs said Friday they’ll pay Zambrano after the suspension ends but there’s insufficient time for him to get ready to pitch again. The Cubs also said a grievance filed on Zambrano’s behalf will be processed by the players’ union, Major League Baseball and the team during the offseason.

Zambrano cleaned out his locker and talked about retiring after giving up five homers and being ejected during a loss to Atlanta on Aug. 12. His ejection followed two inside pitches to Chipper Jones.

He said he intended to be at the ballpark the next day, but his agent Barry Praver told him not to “because we were in the middle of discussions with the union and the Cubs.” The Cubs placed Zambrano on the disqualified list the next day and said he would receive no pay and have no part in team activities for 30 days.

Zambrano was also put on a restricted list last season after he became incensed by what he thought was poor defense against the White Sox and got into a shouting match with then-teammate Derrek Lee. Zambrano underwent anger management counseling, returned to the team and pitched well.

The Cubs expected more when Zambrano signed a $91.5 million deal over five seasons through 2012, including a $17.85 million salary this season and $18 million in 2012.

Zambrano is 125-81 with a 3.60 career ERA after breaking in with the Cubs in 2001. He has thrown a no-hitter against the Astros. He was 9-7 this season before the suspension, but his pitching has often been overshadowed by his outbursts.

In 2009, he went on tirade against an umpire, throwing a baseball into the outfield, pretending to eject the umpire and slamming his glove against the dugout fence, a tantrum that led to a suspension.

In 2007, he got into a fight with teammate and catcher Michael Barrett, first in the dugout and then in the locker room. Barrett ended up with a bruise under his eye and a cut lip.

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